Cisco Unveils New APs and Switches for Enhanced Hybrid Work Environments

Cisco has launched a range of networking hardware designed to improve hybrid work settings, catering to the unique needs of both remote and in-office employees.

The newly announced products include two high-performance Wi-Fi 6E access points and four Catalyst 9000X switches, powered by Cisco's advanced Silicon One Q200 chipset. This cutting-edge technology is designed to provide the essential connectivity and power required for the demands of modern hybrid workplaces.

The two access points, the Catalyst 9136 and Meraki MR57, represent Cisco's first foray into high-end Wi-Fi 6E technology.

Managed via Cisco's DNA Center software, the Catalyst 9136 features Radio Resource Management and Smart AP Catalyst Power Management, optimizing power consumption and enhancing performance automatically. It is equipped with sensors that monitor environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, positioning it as a highly flexible and powerful solution.

The Meraki MR57 offers enterprise-grade WPA3 security and management capabilities through the Meraki cloud-based dashboard, making it a streamlined alternative to the 9136. Both access points support backward compatibility with the 2.4 and 5 GHz spectrums in addition to 6 GHz.

Cisco has also introduced high-capacity switches: the 100G Catalyst 9300X and 9400X access switches, and the 400G Catalyst 9500X and 9600X core switches, designed to manage the high data transfer needs of the latest access points. The addition of 'X' in their names indicates increased bandwidth and throughput over previous models.

The 9500X and 9600X are the first in the Catalyst 9000 series to use Cisco's highly programmable Silicon One chip, a feature that will eventually extend to the entire series. Both models provide dual-rate 400G/200G uplinks, marking another milestone for Cisco's campus switches.

This new hardware lineup is geared towards facilitating the hybrid workforce as more employees return to on-site work. Cisco anticipates that the demand for bandwidth in branch offices will surge due to increased use of video conferencing and collaborative tools.

According to Bob Laliberte, an analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, the pandemic has prompted businesses to become exceptionally agile. He noted that Cisco's announcement provides a framework for organizations looking to redesign their campus environments for hybrid work.

The Catalyst 9000X switches and 6E access points will be available for order next week, while the Meraki 6E AP is set to be released in March. Pricing details for the new devices have yet to be disclosed.

During an online launch event, Cisco executives hinted at an upcoming announcement regarding a private 5G-as-a-service offering, with more information expected to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month. Cisco intends to partner with various service providers on this cloud-delivered 5G initiative, complementing their Wi-Fi 6E product range.